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Show I WEEKLY NEWS JOURNAL. NORTH DAVIS LEADER, SEPTEMBER 24, 1981 REFLEX-DA- VIS Amblyopia Annexation: Dirty Word in Davii By MRK requirements and standards governing D. MICKELSFN NOT in the eyes of cities and town, but in the eyes of vulnerable, sometimes looselv organized unincorporated areas The power of existing municipalities to encroach upon neighboring unincorporated areas is seen as a threat by many residents, and nghtlv so T AKE, F OR instance . the proper! y ow who fails to keep an eagle eve" on the workings of nearby local government, only to find himself annexed with no prior notice His onlv clue comes in the mail in the form of a tax statement Recently . a former Val erda resident approached the North Salt Lake City Council and asked whv she and her neighbors were annexed without prior notification DIRTA, g COINCILMEMBFRS explained that a tract of land near the city boundaries had to be annexed due to the construction of a major housing subdivision This Val Verda resident's property just happened to be inside the limits of the annexed land She said she had no idea her land had been annexed until she received a tax notice in the mail. THE SIMPLE truth is, residents of these unincorporated areas do have a say in the future development of their independent communities In 1979, the Utah Legislature passed into law a bill known as HB-6which provides, among other things, specific procedures, 1 ary changes must make application to the boundary commission. Affected entities, such as the unincorporated areas, may file an application of protest within five days of the conclusion of the public hearing held by the municipality initiating the change. 1 elected county officers, -- two representing the municipalities, each of whom shall be an elected municipal officer not of the same municipality, 1 ceedings. -- the power to authorize commission members to administer oaths to any person when necessary to the performance of the commission. ELIMINATE islands and peninsulas of unincorporated territory, -f- acilitate the consolidation of overlapping functions of local government, service delivery efficien- cies, and, -- encourage the equitable distribution of community resources and obligations FARMINGTON for intellectual SHE WAS to receive an award over the weekend at the "hands off, so N.D. where she will receive the groups intellectual freedom award. Transporta Mountain-Plain- s Assoc, convention be it. FARMINGTON Im- plementation of tuition tax cre- dits for private education would be devastating for Utah, where only two percent of its students attend non-publi- c schools. SUCH CONCERNS were raised by two educators during the board of education meeting last week when the question of possible federal funding cutbacks and changes was raised by Supt. Lawrence Welling. "When you have the President interested in them (tax credits) and T. H. Bell wants it (Education Dept, secretary), we need to be cautious and make sure our own people (senators, representatives) fight against it." HE QUESTIONED the stitutionality of such a move in light of the 1st and 14th amendcon- ments to the Constitution How appropriate is it to not have separation of church and state? If were going to have providing education programs, the same as we have to face with everything else." Comparing that to the federal Title IX. regulation where the district had to build additional physical education facilities to provide equal facilities for boys and girls, the superintendent said those private institutions receiving public funds should have to comply with that requirement. TO SAVE money, the feds might do away with Title I., a e program aiding and disadvantaged youths with extra emphasis programs. If they do away with Title I. theyve taken a step that will really spell thedemise to public education. The Utah Washington delegation shares this concern-oppo- sing tax credits, except for one official, who the superintendent failed to name. IN ADDITION, Dr. Welling Commission Creates THIRSDAY, Oct. 1. So. Weber, West Point, Kaysville, Farmington, Bountiful Elem.. Taylor, Boulton, Holbrook, Wasatch and Muir. Friday, Oct. 2, Holt Elem., Lincoln, Whitesides, Morgan. Centerville Elem., Orchard. Doxey and Washington. Library in tion and all expenses will be paid by the group, she said. The group includes libra- rians from Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas and will hold its 1982 convention in Salt Lake City. She was nominated for the award by the Utah Library Assoc. Bis-mar- LAST YEAR, Ms. Layton received a similar honor from the University of Illinois, tb Businessmen: Work CLEARFIELD tax credits, let it go that way with the understanding it requires some restrictions to freedom efforts. Tuition Tax Credit By TOM BUSSELBERG . County must have the final say in annexation matters concerning their future. Otherwise, imagine the unruly conglomeration of boundary lines brought on municipalities by property-hungrAND IF the residents say Valley View. Library Director Jeanne y sional or consulting services. Entities (cities, towns) proposing bound Tol-ma- n. Sunset Elem., Cook. King, Knowlton, Stewart, Woods Cross, Clinton and Layton is being honored by an eight-stat- e library association RESIDENTS -- THE POWER to appoint and assign staff personnel and to contract for profes- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Library Association Honors Jeanne Layton IF MORE than one municipality has included the unincorporated territory in their policy declaration, the real property owners have the option of choosing annexation by either entity. And that, without question, is the key factor in HB-6- -- THE POWER to adopt procedures for the evaluation of proposals and to enforce rules aimed at the fair conduct of the pro- -- -- PROMOTE two-third- municipal officer Local boundary commissions have certain powers and duties, including -t- he power to review, approve or disapprove a proposal for a boundary change in a local entity. -- the power to apply for and accept financial assistance from the State of Utah or its local entities. the supervision of screening for Amblyopia (lazy eye) and other common visual defects which often pass unnoticed until a child reaches school age Time is the important factor in the discovery and treatment of Amblyopia. The younger the child with the Lazy Eye. the more rapidly he usually responds to corrective treatment by professional eye doctors KINDERGARTEN children will be screened at their schools as scheduled here. children from age 3': are invited and encouraged IF THE citys governing body passes the s vote, annexation proposal by a annexation may be initiated However, the land to be annexed must he within the area projected for municipal expansion under the citys annexation policy declaration. -- AND THREE representing the general public, none of whom shall be a county or HB-6NOTES that where feasible and practicable, areas projected for municipal expansion should be drawn along the existing boundary lines of existing sewer, water, improvement or special service districts or other taxing jurisdictions This, according to law, will help to. UNDER 1.30-2.3- the public health nurses, trained volunteers will be INCLUDED IN the affected entities" portion of HB-6- 1 are real property owners, or those residents of the unincorporated area who own a majority of the land. When those residents desire to annex their property into a nearby municipality, they are required to produce an accurate map of the territory to be annexed to the recorder of the annexing municipality. representing the county, appointed by the governing body from FIRST OF all, HB-6was established to encourage local municipalities to develop what has become known as an annexation policy declaration The declaration consists of a map or legal description of the unincorporated territory into which the municipality anticipates or favors expansion of its boundaries. Case in point. If Bountiful should decide to include the unincorporated Val Verda area in its policy declaration, the map or legal description should include specific boundary lines which include Val Verda. period. Clinics will be held from 0 Monday, 30 and West Sept. 28, E. Layton, Bountiful and Fremont. TUESDAY, Sept. 29, Syracuse, Hill Field, Crestview, BurV Layton Elem. , Vae lew . ton, Meadowbrook, So. Clearfield. Adelaide, Oakhills. Davis County 3'2, 4 or 5 year children will be conducted Sept. 28 through Oct 2. old 1 INFORTLN ATELY, a majority of Davis County residents are unaware of the rights and privileges they have regarding annexation and boundary changes In light of this, some clarifications are in order to attend during the same time Free visual screening of DISPUTES over proposed annexation plans are handled in Davis County by what HB-6calls a "boundary commission. County commissioners are responsible for the initial establishment of the boundary commission. Since there are more than two municipalities in Davis County, the boundary commission consists of seven members: annexation Annexation is becoming a dirty word in mans parts of Davis County. Clinic Set If something like secretary. that happens and they took about $5 billion out of the federal treasury for tuition tax credit, wed (Utah) probably get of what other states get. WE HAVE only two per lot of boys and girls. If were to keep pace with where we are now, it will require additional money. Expressing similar concerns was Dee Burningham, Davis Education Assoc, executive said funding is still uncertain for vocational education and school foods. The federal money for vocational education could really wither away and could work to a disadvantage for a broad education for a one-fift- h cent of our students in private schools compared to 10 percent for the nation. Utahns would still send taxes to Washington, but would get ab- back. I think pragmatically it would ruin out one-fift- If youre a civic minded and happen to be Clearfield businessman, get h out those overalls and that rake and shovel. BE PREPARED to get those hands dirty participating in a s general cleanup of the city by Mam Street. the city and chamber of commerce, itll all get under way at 7 a m. at the city hall parking lot. Participants should bring rakes, shovels, brooms and other appropriate tools and may also involve representatives from their firms, tb Tax Proposals Could Have Effect On Cities Far-reachi- ng By TOM BUSSELBERG Two tax proposals being SUNSET studied for possible introduction in the 1982 Legislature could have impact on cities and property-owner- dustries would save millions of dollars, but not the property owner. Geneva Steel's tab would decrease by $844, 000, for instance, he said. I feel its not in the best interest for communities, he added, noting it's pasreduce competition for new sage would businesses and would hurt such cities as Layton that he said have been very progressive" in attracting new business "It takes away that motivation it relieves incentives to towns like Layton. now imposed. Cities would have to rely totally on property tax for revenues. Looking at each proposal in further detail, as explained by the mayor: THE ONE cent local sales tax would where a phase-i- n a formula would see half the revenue going to the city where sales originated and half based on population. That would help cities such as Clinton and West Point with little sales tax revenue generation. Such a formula was used in Weber County until it was recently outlawed. tax Under the property-sale- s "swapping proposal, schools would be forced to deal with a fluctuation that Mayor 3 Sant said now stands at percent. He s. involve SUNSET MAYOR Norm Sant, who sits on a taxation committee for the Wasatch Front Regional Council along with Bountiful Mayor Elmer Barlow from the county, said last week one option would increase s the cities share of sales tax from cent to one cent. That could have tremendous impact on many areas, raising Sunsets intake from $190,000 to $527,000 within five years after It hasn't been decided if a gradual phase-in- . cent would come out the extra of the existing five percent (five cents on he the dollar tax) or be an extra tack-osaid. three-fourth- 50-5- 0 five-ye- ON TOP OF that, he said another cent sales tax might be needed to finance the schools. Among other possibilities in the mill: three-fourt- h 12-1- centered comments primarily on the "swapping plan. I'm concerned. I think ONE recommendation would aid resort cities such as Alta and Brianhead, giving them the option to receive a three cent transient room tax, a practice already by most ski areas" according to Mayor Sant The cent gasoline tax would be changed to percent of the wholesale gas price and would be subject to adjustment. A LOCAL income tax could be the property tax (that cities would use exclusively) is one of the most unfair taxes. Theres not growth like there is with sales tax. dont think the school district can stand the flexibility. W ED PROBABLY have to double our property tax, he continued, calling the tax Some of the larger in "discriminatory. THE OTHER major proposal would see a swapping, in Mayor Sant's words, of the property tax for sales tax. School revenues would come from sales tax rather than the 23.25 mill uniform property tax minimum 1 1 1 1 enacted, eliminating the need for sales and property taxes. A severence tax on extracted minerals, . such as coal, is still a possibility. IN SPITE OF of the change outlawing the old 50-5- 0 arrangement for Weber County cities whereby sales tax was shared based on population and point of sale. Mayor Sant said cities have managed without raising property taxes, although it meant a drastic cut" to some. In North Ogden, revenue dropped percent and went down 40 percent in Plain City, where little business is located. They've made it without passing on (extra taxes), he said. Maybe the word is theres some fat (in city government). We assume the state has it and we know it's in the federal government. These cities have proved (they can manage)." 0 THE CITIES couldn't arbitrarily raise taxes, however, due to the 106 percent limit imposed by the Legislature where tax revenue couldn't exceed the previous years by more than six percent plus growth, the mayor noted. uthority By MARK D. MICKELSEN FARMINGTON Davis County Commissioners Tuesday signed a resolution creating a county-wid- e municipal building authority. THE BUILDING authority is a organization and acts as a vehicle"" through which the county can acquire needed properties, according to deputy Davis County attorney Jerry Hess. Building authority members by law may invest in real property located inside the county limits, Mr. Hess said. Once acquired, the properties will be leased back to Davis County. non-prof- it ATTY. HESS later explained that the county is already considering several tracts of land near north and south Davis hospitals and may purchase the Alcohol Rehabilitation Center on Main Street in Clearfield. He said the building authority will be responsible for the construction of new facilities. Afterwards, the facilities w ill be leased back to the county for use. COMMISSION Chairman Ernest Eberhard and Commissioner Glen Saunders formally endorsed a resolution creating the municipal building authority commission meeting. Commissioner at a Harry B. Gerlach was absent. The law allow s the creation of a building authority , Atty. Hess told commissioners. HE EMPHASIZED that the municipal corporation organization. must remain a non-profi- t" and other By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON - First graders should either attend school as long as otherelemen-tarstudents or be bused when their classes end, a group of Knowlton Elementary School parents have told the board of education. y THE SCHOOL is into its second year of operation but is located in an area that has seen virtually no residential development on Farmington's Shepard Lane. Most students are bused. It is close to U.S. Highway 89, as well. Under the present set-u- first graders are dismissed from classes at Knowlton, and many other district schools, about an hour earlier than the oldergrades. But busing is provided only when the other students are dismissed. THAT MEANS either the first graders must walk home, stay at school until the bus arrives or receive a ride from a parent. Those options raised concern of a group of parents, with several addressing the board, concerned pa- rents who wrote a letter to the issue. A QUESTIONNAIRE distributed to 80 parents at the back to school night with 40 returned by parents of It showed 95 percent ride the bus. Nearly said theyd favor their student staying at school and receiving instruction for an extra hour until other classes were let out. e Spokesman Douglas read comments pro and con for the extended day that said such things as, "Very much for it noting students are totally ready adding that students should be bused first-grader- s. two-thir- pounded by students coming home early, expeciaily for those who work, he said. Among those parents speaking out was Lynn Hooper, who pointed to other schools where the students already attend longer including Syracuse, Cook, Clinton. South Clearfield and Lincoln with eight other schools "working to- ward" a full schedule for next fall, including Adelaide and Boulton m the Bountiful area. Brun-nett- in. OTHER positive comments said students would have more time to learn motor skills and could concentrate more on such subjects as science, art and music. In addition, teachers can't use the extra hour for preparation because they must act as babysitters, the board was told. IN ADDITION, problems for parents could be com AT SUCH schools, the students go home an hour early the first term but stay the full length the remainder of the year. And in other school districts, students attend the full day. Mother Judy Rigby said she feels very responsible to care for the needs of her children after school's out. I don't feel it's the responsibility of anyone else to babysit but I do feel in a situation such as Knowlton where there are largely busing schools, the only successful way is in the clas- sroom." tend to run and teachers cant con BUT YOUNGSTERS trol 25 kids just as a mother may have trouble with just one or two "I feel every student should have the same experience. Although I'm very happy to pick up (my children) I'd rather have my children stay until 3 25. I feel they're perfectly capable- -I don't believe its tiredness. Maybe it's more boredom." Raising the issue of responsibility when carpooling up to seven children was Bonnie I feel unsafe for my Lewis child's welfare-we- 're all aware of the transportation problem. I have seven children in my car. If there's an accident, maybe there'll be a lawsuit. I ALSO feel a great discomfort knowing the extra hour is not educationally supervised. I want my child to respect his teacher and have school be positive but after the bell rings, the child doesn't know what he should be (with the hour of babysitting vs regular school activities) I ask you as a board to ease a mother's fears, she added. TEACHER Gary Pryor asked that whatever decision made by the board be made on the educational needs of the kids adding it should be implemented district-widit's good for these, it's good for ere should be some criteria one way or the other." Elizabeth Cassell, also a Knowlton teacher, said it would be very interesting to see why first graders are let out early. We need to study the educational benefits for those who stay and who don't." But she emphasized those staying are supervised and kept in a room- -a teacher is there should be used if such a (shorter school day) policy is in effect. e, all-th- NOTING nearly all first graders stay at East Layton was PTA Pres. Kathy Benjamin who said that of 100, only three are walking students. Initially, upset parents wanted a carpool set up and while the PTA agreed to assist in its formation, officers questioned the legality of such a move. Only five of the 100 students are picked up with teachers just as split as parents over whether school should be extended adding, kids are adjusting". But she said buses ITS VERY dangerous right off of Highway 89. If we can't afford buses (at the earlier hour) we should get a policy to keep the students in. Davis Education Assoc Pres. Earl Spencer noted This is not a new issue. Thi past spring we had quite a effort. Some first graders ar ready to stay, no question. I dealing with teachers. I'd sa the majority aren't. We need t look at the educational as we as the safety. We can't reall assume all can stay. What best for the majority of thei must be considered, h noted. SLPT. LAWRENCE Wei the policy was in plemented before any of th ing said present administration c board had influence and sai it was a matter of maturatioi -- attention span, adding would be difficult to provic buses at every school for ear dismissal. |